Automatic railroad-gate.



PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

, L. GALLANT.

AUTOMATIC RAILROAD GATE. APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 6, 1906.

3 BHEETS-SHEET lrns mowers r-zrares cc w PATENTED FEB. 5, 1907.

L; GALLANT. AUTOMATIC RAILROAD GATE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 6, 1906.

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THE NORRIS PETERS cm. wAsnllvcrau. n. c.

PATBNTBD FEB. '5, 1907.

L. GALLANT. AUTOMATIC RAILROAD GATE.

A YPLIOATION FILED AUG. 6, 1905.

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ms NoRRls PETERS cm, \msHlNcwN. u. c.

UNITED STATES L UKE GALLANT, OF

PATENT @FFTGE.

AMERY, WISCONSIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 1907.

Appiication filed August 6. 1906. Serial No. 329,451.

To a It'll/077D it may (JON/08TH.

Be it known that I, LUKE GALLANT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Amery, in the county of Polk and State of \Visconsin, have invented a new and useful Automatic Railroad-Gate, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in l automatic railroad-gates.

The object-of the presentinvention is to improve the construction of automatic railroad-gates and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient one of great strength and durability which will be adapted to be opened and closed by passing trains and which will not require the attention of an operator or other person.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to with out departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

in the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a railroadgate constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same, partly in section. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view illustrating the construction of the gates and the means for communicating rotary motion to the shafts or pivots of the gates for swinging the same from a vertical to a horizontal position, and vice versa. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail perspective view illustrating the coni struction for setting and tripping the gates. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the arrangement of the main transverse I shaft, the gearing for actuating the same,

and the spring for yieldably connecting the shaft with the crank-disks. Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating the arrangement of the train-operated tripping-levers. Fig. 8 is a detail view illustrating the construction for locking the main lever to hold the gates in l their open position.

Like numerals of reference designate correspondlng parts in all the figures of the drawmgs.

1 and 1 designate oscillatorymast-gates, arranged in pairs at opposite sides of a railroad-track at a crossing 2, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and arranged in a vertical position when open and adapted to swing dmvnwardly to the pcsition illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings to close the crossing in the usual manner. The gates at each side of the railroad-track and the mechanism for operating the same are of the same construction, and the following detail description of the construction and operation of one pair of the gates and the operat* ing mechanism thereof is applicable to both pairs of gates and both sets of the operating mechanism. The gates 1 and 1 have bifurcated portions 3, which straddle posts 4 and which are pivoted to the same by transverse shafts 5 and 5*. The shafts are arranged intermediate of the ends of the sides of the bifurcated portions of the gates, which are provided with counterhalancing-weights 6, adjustably secured to the outer portions or arms of the sides of the bifm'cated portions of the gates. These counterbalancing-arms of the gates may, however, be weighted in any other preferred manner. The gates are preferably provided at their outer or free ends with rods 6, pivotally connected with the gates and adapted to fold automatically alongside the gates when the latter are raised and capable of swinging from the gates when the latter are closed. The rods are arranged vertically when the gates are in a horizontal position, and they support the free ends of the gates for relieving the same of strain. The upper attached ends of the rods 6 pierce blocks 7, which are pivoted to the free ends of the gates by means of bolts 8 or other suitable fastening devices. The attached portions of the rods are provided with nuts 9 and 10, located above and below the blocks when the gates are closed, and coiled springs 11 are interposed between the blocks and the lower nuts 10 for cushioning the gates in their closing movement.

The posts 4 are in the form of casings, and the shafts 5 and 5 are provided with intermediate squared portions, which receive arms ],2 and 12. The arms 12 and 12 are arranged at a slight inclination and extend from the shafts in opposite directions when the gates are closed, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The arm 12 is connected by a link 13 with the upper arm of an 21 are caused to move in unison.

upper inclined lever 14, located within the post 4 and fulcrumed at an intermediate point of its ends on a pivot 15. The lower arm of the inclined lever 14 is connected with a lower inclined lever 16, which is fulcrumed at an intermediate point between its ends on a pivot 17. The upper arm of the lower inclined lever is provided with a longitudinal slot 18, which receives a pin or pivot 19 of the lower arm of the upper lever. The arm 12 at the opposite end of the roadway is connected by a link 20 with the upper arm of an upright lever 21, which is fulcrumed at a point between its ends on a pivot or pin 22.

The lower arm of the lever 21 is connected by a rod 23 with the lower arm of the lower inclined lever 16, whereby the levers 16 and When the rod 23 is moved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the lower arms of the levers 16 and 21. are moved to the right and the arms of the shafts are swung downward, thereby partially rotating the shafts and raising the gates to open the same. l/Vhen the rod 23 is moved in the opposite direction, the gates will be swung downward for closing them. The rod 23 is arranged in a suitable boxing or casing 24, which may be of any desired construction.

The lower end of the lever 16 is connected by a rod 25 with the upper arm of an upright lever 26, which is fulcrumed at an intermediate point between its ends on a pivot or pin 27. The lower arm of the lever 26 is provided with a longitudinal slot 28, which receives a wrist-pin 29 of a crank disk or wheel. The crank-wheel or disk 30 is located at one end of a main transverse shaft 31, which extends entirely across the track and which carries the crank disk or wheel 30 of each set of operating mechanism.

The transverse shaft, which is rotated by the means hereinafter described for opening and closing the gates, is yieldably connected with the crank disk or wheel 30 by means of coiled springs 32 and 33, whereby the gates are permitted to move independently of the actuating mechanism. This construction will permit the gates to be readily raised by hand should they close either upon a vehicle or while a vehicle is crossing the track. Also this construction will prevent the mechanism from being injured should the gates when tripped or released be held in their closed position by any means. The spring 32 is connected with an arm 34 of the crank disk or wheel and with an arm 35 of the shaft, and

the other spring 33, which is disposed on the shaft 31, is secured at its inner end 36 to the shaft and is connected at its outer end 37 to the crank disk or wheel. The springs ntirmally maintain the crank-disk in proper position with relation to the shaft, and should the actuating mechanism move independently of either set of gates the springs will operate the crankdisk and open or close the gates, as the case may be, when the said gates are free to respond to the action of the springs.

The transverse shaft has keyed or otherwise fixed to it a mutilated gear or pinion 38, which meshes with a reciproeatory rack 39, located beneath the gear or pinion 38 and supported at one end by a link 40 and connected at its other end with a main lever 41. The link 40 is pivoted at its upper end to the box or casing 42, in which the mechanism is arranged, and the lower end of the link is pivoted to one end of the rack 39.

The main lever 41, which is substantially L-shaped, is fulcrumed at its angle on a pin or pivot 43, and it consists of a short upper substantially horizontal arm 44 and a long approximately vertical arm 45. The short upper arm 44 of the main lever 43 is connected by a vertical link or bar 46 with a pair of train-operated bars or levers 47, pivoted at their inner ends by a pin 48 to the upper end of the bar 46, which is arranged in an approxi mately vertical position. The outer ends of the bars or levers 47 are slotted and are mounted adjacent to the outer rail of one of the tracks on suitable pins or pivots 49. When the gates are closed, the bars or levers 47 are arranged in an inclined position, as illustrated in h ig. 2 of the drawings, and they are adapted to be depressed by the wheels of a train to open the gates and set the same for automatic closing. The bar 46 is provided with a central opening to receive the arm 44 of the lever 43, and the lower end-of the bar 46 is pivoted to one arm of an approximately horizontal lever 50, which is fulcrumed at an intermediate point on a pin or pivot 51, the other arm of the lever 50 being connected by a link 52 with a coiled spring 53, which in practice will be of sufficient strength to close the gates when the mechanism is tripped by a train, as hereinafter explained. The spring 53, which is arranged at an inclination, is secured at its lower end 54 to the box or casing 42, and it is adapted to raise the bars or levers 47 from the horizontal position shown in Fig. 5 to the inclined position shown in Fig. 2.

The upward and downward movements of the bars of levers 47 oscillate themainlever45 and reciprocate the rack 39 and partially rotate the shaft 31, whereby the gates are opened and closed. The depression of the bars or levers 47 swings the short arm 44 of the main lever 43 downward and opens the gates. This movement also places the spring 53 under tension.

The gates are locked in their open position by means of an approximately horizontal latch-lever 54 fulcrumed at one end on a pin or pivot 55 and extending through a slot or opening 56 of a flange 57 of the main lever 43 and provided with a shoulder 58 for engaging the flange 57. The latch or locking lever 54 rests upon the flange 57 at the bottom of the slot 56, and it drops into engagement with the flanges when the lower arm of the lever 43 is swung beyond the shoulder 58. The other end 59 of the latch-lever is connected by a link 60 with a pair of bell-crank levers 61, mounted on transverse shafts or rods 62 and having their arms arranged horizontally and vertically. The link 60 preferably consists of two plates or bars arranged at opposite sides of the horizontal arms of the bellr crank levers, and the said horizontal arms are overlapped and provided with slots 63 to receive the pivot 6%, which connects the link with the levers 61. The rods 62 connect the bell crank levers 61 of the two sets of operating mechanism, so that when one of the tripping devices, hereinafter explained, is operated both sets of operating mechanism will be simultaneously tripped. 64* is connected with the upwarrlly-extending arm of one of the bell-crank levers 61. for maintaining the same and the latch-lever in position for locking the main lever 43.

The upwardly-extending arn s of the bellcrank levers are connected with pivotallymounted tripping devices 65, consisting, cssentially, of bell-crank levers located a suitable distance from the crossing at each side thereof. The tripping device has an upwardly-extending arm, which projects above the treads of the rails a suflicient distance to be engaged by the cow-catcher or pilot of a locomotive; but it may be arranged to be operated by any other portion of a moving train. The other arm of the tripping device is connected by a link 66 with an operatingrod 67, and the latter, which extends to the lever 61, is preferably con posed of sections connected by a coiled spring 68, which is adapted to take up any slack of the parts. The rod 67 is arranged within a suitable c::s ing 69, consisting or a pipe or tube, and the tripping device 65, which is located within a suitable box or casing 70, is maintained in position for operation by means of a coiled spring 71, secured to the train of the tripping device and to the said box or cesirg. When the tripping device is swung toward the crossing by a train approaching the same, the inner bell-crank lever 61 will be operai ed to lift a latch-lever out of engageirent with the main lever 43 to pernit the spring 53 to actuate the main lever and operai e the gearing for par tially rotating the shait 31. When the gate-operating mechanism is tripped, the arm of the horizontal lever 50, which is con nected with the spring 53, is swung downward and the other arm of the horizontal lever 50 is raised, thereby oscillating the main lever 53 and elevating the deprrssible bars or levers 17.

The train-operated device for setting and tripping the gates may be located at any dis tance from the crossing, and in practice an A coiled spring audible signal, such as a bell, will be provided for announcing the approach of a train.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim. as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a pair of pivoted gates, arnrs connected with the gates and movable in opposite directions, a single lever fulcrunred at an intermediate point and connected with one of the arrrs, upper and lower levers connected together at their adjacent ends, the upper lever being also connected with the other arm, and operating mechanism connected with. the lower lever and the said single lever.

2. The combination with a gate, of a gear connected with the gate, a rack meshing with the gear, a spring for moving the rack in one direction, and train-operat ed means for moving the rack in the opposite direction.

3. The combination with a gate, of a gear connected with the gate, a rack meshing with the gear, a lever connected with the rack for actuating the same, a spring for moving the lever in one direction, and train-operated means for moving the lever in the opposite direction. i

4. The combination. with a gate, of a lever fUlC1'1111T.((l at an intermediate point and having one of its arn; s connected with the gate, a

rank element connected with the other arm of the lever, a gear connected with the crank elerrent, a rack meshing with the gear, and n eans for actuating the rack to open and close the gate.

5. The combination with a gate, of a lever hrlcrurred at an intermediate point and having one of its arir s connected with the gate, a crank element connected with the other arm of the lover, a gear yieldably connected with the crank elenient, a rack nicshing with the gear, a spring for moving the rack in one direction, and train-operated means for moving the rack in the opposite direction.

6. The combination with a gate, of a shaft, a crank elenient mount ed on the shaft and connected with the gate, a coiled spring disposed on the shaft and connected with the crank elenrcnt, a second spring connected with the crank element and with the shaft, and means for operat ing the shaft.

7. The combination with a gate, of a sha'l t connected with the gate, a gear mounted on the shaft, a rack meshing with the gear, a lever connected with the rack for actuating the $211116, train-operated means for moving the lever in one direction, and means for in oving the lever in the opposite direct ion.

8. The combination with a gate, of a shaft connected with the gate, a gear mounted on the shaft, a rack meshing with the gear, a link supporting one end of the rack, a lever connected with the other end of the rack, and means for actuating the lever for reciprocating the rack to open and close the gate.

9. The combination With a gate, of a gear, means for communicating motion from the gear to the gate, a reciprocatory rack meshing With the gear, a lever connected. with the rack, train-operated mechanism for moving the lever in one direction, a spring for moving the lever in the opposite clirection, locking mechanism for engaging the lever, and rainoperated tripping mechanism connecteii with the locking mechanism for releasing the lever.

10. The combination with a gate, a lever, a rack connected with the lever, a gear meshing With the rack and connected with the gate, train-operatei mechanism for moving the lever in one direction, a spring for moving the lever in the opposite nirection, locking mechanism for holiing the lever against movement, ancl train-operated tripping mechanism connectecl with the locking mechanism for releasing the lever.

11. The combination with a gate, of a lever, means for communicating motion from the lever to the gate, and. springs for moving the lever in one direction, a train-operates: clevice connected. With the lever for moving the same in the opposite direction, a latch-lever proviiei with means for engaging the said lever for holtling the gate in .one position, ansi train-operated tripping mechanism conncct eel With the latch-lever for releasing the other lever to permit the gate to be actuatecl by the said spring.

12. The combination With a gate, of a lever provided with a flange having an opening, means for communicating motion from the lever to the gate, train-operate l mechanism for moving the lever in one direction, a spring for moving the lever in the opposite direction, a latch-lever operating in the opening of the said flange anrl provic with means for engaging the same to lock the gate in one position, anrl train-operated tripping mechanism connectecl with the latch-lever for releasing the other lever.

13. The combination with a gate, of a bellcrank lever fulcrumezl at its angle anrl. having an upper approximately horizontal arm, means for connecting the other arm of the lever With the gate for operating the latter, a depressible train-operated device, a bar or member connecting such device with the upper arm of the said lever, a horizontal lever connectecl with the said bar or member, a spring connectei With the horizontal lever for moving the other lever in one direction, ancl means for locking the bell-crank lever and for tripping the same.

14. The combination of a gate, a main lever, means for communicating motion from the main lever to the gate, a spring for moving the said. lever in one cirection, train-operatecl mechanism for moving the saicl lever in the opposite direction, a latch-lever pro- VlLlEil with means for engaging the main lever, bell-crank levers connected with the latch-lever for .iisengaging the same from the main lever, anrl train-operated tripping clevices connecte'cl with the bell-crank levers.

15. The combination of a gate, a main lever, means for communicating motion from the main lever to the gate, a spring for moving the main lever in one direction, train-operatezl means for moving the saicl lever in the opposite cirection, a locking-lever provided with means for engaging the main lever, bellcranlz levers having overlappecl arms proviied with slots, a link connectecl with the latch-lo er and having a pivot arrangeel in the sairl slots, an'i train-operated tripping devices connecteil with the bell-crank levers.

16. The combination of a gate, a main lever lulcrumeii at an intermediate point, train-operated means connected with one arm of the lever, a latch directly engaging the other arm of the lever, means for communicating motion from the lever to the gate, anil train-operated means connected with the latch for releasing the main lever.

17. The combination of a gate, a main lever fulcrumei at an intermediate point, means for communicating motion from the main lever to the gate, a train-operatecl device connected. with one arm of the saicl lever for operating the same, a latch directly engaging the other arm of the main lever for locking the same, inner levers connectezl with the latch for releasing the main lever, and, outer train-operated levers connected. with the inner levers.

18. The combination of a gate, a main lever, means for communicating motion from the main lever to the gate, a latch for locking the main lever, means for actuating the main lever, anrl a train-operated tripping device connecterl with, the latch anrl comprising a bell-crank er, a spring connectecl With the bell-crank lever for holding one of the arms in an upright position, anal a link connectei with the other arm of the bell-crank lever.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixecl my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LUKE GALLANT.

Yr itnesses L. M. Rrormnnson, F. G. MCKENZIE. 

